Info on powder
Hi everyone,
I have WIN.785 Ball powder for 10 years,never opend factory
sealed.Is it safe to use?
Thanks for comments.

Weidmansheil
Orion
06 July 2004, 00:02
<eldeguello>It certainly should be. Particularly since it has never been opened. A visual check and a "sniff test" will tell you. If it looks like it should, with no rusty-colored dust in it, it pours freely, and has a slight ether-like smell, like other cans of ball powder, it is OK.

I have about 1/3 can of the same powder left over from the early 1980's, and it is still OK.
I have no info on this powder.
But, they still sell powder salveged from WW 2 ammo , and it still works.
The sniff test mentioned above , as well as the rust colored residue will tell you what you need to know.
Travis F.
All of Winchesters powders are double based, made with both nitro-glycerin and nitro-cellulose. Double base powders are the most stable, and kept cool (75 degrees or so, no storage over 90)they will last indefinately, double based powders are very stable. As has been addresed, there should be an obvious ether smell when the container is opened, and should flow freely, and be free of discoloration.